A vernier throttle is a
throttle
A throttle is a mechanism by which fluid flow is managed by construction or obstruction.
An engine's power can be increased or decreased by the restriction of inlet gases (by the use of a throttle), but usually decreased. The term ''throttle'' ha ...
often used in aircraft. It uses a cable and a screw mechanism to provide the operator precise control over an engine's operation. The concept is similar in use to
vernier calipers which have a primary scale for gross measurements, and a secondary scale for fine measurements. Like other inventions that bear his name, the Vernier throttle is based on the work of mathematician
Pierre Vernier
Pierre Vernier (; 19 August 1580 at Ornans, Franche-Comté (at that time ruled by the Spanish Habsburgs, now part of France) – 14 September 1637, same location) was a mathematician and instrument inventor. He was the inventor and eponym o ...
.
Vernier throttles are commonly used in aircraft. A similar mechanism is also used in reciprocating (gasoline) aircraft engines to set the mixture to an appropriate value for a given altitude.
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Aircraft controls